Across the centuries and across continents creatures of cloth and wood and string have become magically alive. Puppetry thrives. It blossoms at The Rose. World-premiering is playwright Brian Guehring’s s pairing of new perspectives on two of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy stories. Both involve other creatures, telling tales for wide-eyed children and marveling adults. In one hour The Grocer’s Goblin makes the stock on shelves speak and move. And then The Little Mermaid emerges from the waves and, seeking to become a human, finds her soul. Director Stephanie Jacobson instills her inspiration derived from work at Jim Henson Studios. Witness the artistry of self-effacing Bunraku artists. And follow the shapes and forms of shadow figures, shedding light on traditions that go back as far as Emperor Wu of Han (141 to 87 B.C.) Guehring’s credits include If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, Julie of the Wolves and Where the Red Fern Grows.